Grab the best matte foundations to keep the greasiness, hi-shine spots, creases, and cakey base at bay. Glossy and glazed makeup has surged the social media hashtags and trends lately, but it is not oily-skin friendly. The oil-absorbing, shine-controlling, and pore-minimising matte foundations have long been a cult favorite for those who love a velvety and spot-blurring, seamless complexion.  We have found that for every dewy foundation, there is a mattifying counterpart that works to even out enlarged pores and create a smoothing filter on the skin, exuding a fresh and flawless look. 

There are endless options filling up the beauty racks, from medium to full coverage and luxe to drugstore options. Based on our expertise, we have rounded up our top recommendations and hot sellers in the matte foundations category that are a must-try.

• 1
  Best for Oily Skin

  Jane Iredale Beyond Matte 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation

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Enjoy the buildable coverage that Jane Iredale's foundation offers. This liquid foundation is easy to use, easy to blend, and offers a beautiful sheer tint to the skin. The stay-put coverage doesn't budge from the skin. Moreover, it offers a beautiful amalgamation of a matte finish and a luminous glow. It doesn't make the skin look cakey either. It's made with a hydrating blend of celery seed, and linseed extracts that evens the skin tone, and reduces the appearance of pores. 

2

Best Drugstore Formula

e.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation

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You can never go wrong with the semi-matte, liquid foundation by e.l.f! It is truly flawless and lends a gorgeous satin finish. With shades available to match almost every skin tone, this liquid is bound to be an easy ‘add to cart’ option. As it naturally blends into the skin with a smooth silky application, the fusion of glycerine provides hydration. Suitable for all skin types, this foundation can be worn all day.

3

Best Creamy Formula

L’ORÉAL PARIS Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

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From L’ORÉAL PARIS’ latest Infallible range, this creamy foundation delivers a demi-matte finish. With no fallout, creasing, and heaviness, this formula is a must have for a natural and seamless finish. Not to mention, it is air-light and has a long wear. While trying out the product we found that this cream-based foundation offers medium coverage. Apply with your fingers or a blending tool for an even and smooth complexion. The mini tube is easy to tote around and perfect for applying on the go.

4

RIMMEL LONDON Stay Matte Lightweight Mousse

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If you are anything like us, you know how a mousse can be a top-tier quick fix. This super lightweight matte mousse by Rimmel London has a barely-there airy texture. The silken formula is oil-free and goes on the skin smoothly. The gel emulsifiers present in the mousse control excess shine and minimize pores to give off a flawless matte finish that lasts all day. Nothing beats the easy-to-use application and natural finish of this class product.

5

Best Mousse Formula

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Dream Matte Mousse

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Another mousse on the menu is from Maybelline New York. This buttery-creamy foundation features innovative ultra-mattifying powders. This component allows the recipe a smooth glide on the skin, resulting in a flawless, cloudy matte finish. You can create a bespoke coverage with its velvety and weightless texture. The airy formula evens out the skin for a natural finish. Blend the whip-up with your fingertips for effortless application that goes on seamlessly, without appearing chalky or flat.

6

Best Overall

DERMABLEND PROFESSIONAL Cover Crème

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This cream-based foundation by DERMABLEND is infused with SPF 30 to treat your skin with full-coverage and sun protection. A perfect addition to your everyday makeup rotation, this moisturizing foundation stays put for up to 16 hours. The formula is smudge-proof, transfer-proof, and ideal for covering any skin imperfections. The high-performing balm goes smoothly, efficiently strengthens the skin’s barrier, and offers protection from harmful sun rays, leaving your skin fresh and radiant all day long.

7

Best for Large Pores

bareMinerals Barepro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation

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A mattifying liquid foundation with skincare ingredients coupled with SPF? If you feel that’s too much to ask, let us tell you that it’s not. The bareMineral Barepro Foundation brings everything to the table. The long-wear, full-coverage liquid feels breathable on the skin and offers a natural matte finish. The mineral pigments and lipids present in the recipe allow the makeup to stay put. Bamboo stem extract and papaya enzyme come together to create a blurred, soft look, while also improving the skin’s texture over time.

8

Best Powder Formula

bareMinerals Barepro 16HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation

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The compact version of a pressed powder foundation by bareMinerals is just what one might need for quick morning makeup, touch-ups through the day, or while traveling. The formula is humidity and sweat-proof, and gives your skin a natural matte finish. On trying the product we found that the transfer-resistant and breathable formula offers full coverage that lasts quite long — we clocked a good 15-16 hours. Use a sponge of fluffy brush to gently pat the powder on the skin — we also found that it will absorb oil, control shine, and not turn cakey at any point. A blend of pineapple extract, peony extract, and sugarcane-derived squalane hydrates, nourishes, and brightens the skin, while also working to improve the skin texture.

9

Most Natural Matte Finish

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear

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When one goes on to explore Lancome’s world beyond the iconic perfumes and skincare, they land on its hottest seller —  the Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation. This mattifying liquid formula has hyaluronic acid, moringa, prebiotics, and vitamin E, each with its own sets of skin-smoothing benefits. These elements also protect the skin barrier. The breathable and buildable formula is long-wearing, with 50 shades available to match almost every skin complexion.

10

Best with SPF

BOBBI BROWN Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15

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Whoever said matte foundations cannot give a skin-like finish, hasn’t met the BOBBI BROWN foundation. This multipurpose foundation formula delivers a natural matte finish that stays well on the skin for up to 16 hours. The weightless and breathable liquid melts comfortably into the skin, minimizes the pores, and strengthens the skin’s barrier. Suitable for normal to oily skin, this foundation also conceals redness and discoloration, while offering protection with SPF 15. The key ingredients include glycerine and shea butter.

11

Most popular

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

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For a fresh matte look with shine and oil control, under our radar is this foundation by ESTÉE LAUDER. With over 55 shades for a perfect match to every skin tone, this long-wearing formula glides on like a dream. The liquid is sweat-proof, humidity-proof, water-proof, and heat-resistant, so you can wear your glam even on a hot day without fearing melting makeup. Thanks to its medium to full coverage, the foundation smoothens uneven skin tone and any imperfections, and the best part is that you don’t need any touch-ups. 

12

Juvia's Place I Am Magic Velvety Matte Foundation

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What goes on like a tinted moisturizer, but finishes like a full-coverage foundation is this velvety matte cream by Juvia’s. Simply blend in the cream on your skin and unveil a smooth base that is lightweight and will not turn cakey. A velvety matte texture is crafted in 42 shades ranging from deep to fair, skin tones. The skin-friendly makeup is water-proof and sweat-proof and formulated without parabens and sulfate.

13

M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

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For a compact mattifying foundation that can be your on-the-go companion, look no further than this powder formula. The M.A.C studio fix powder plus foundation is the one-step recipe you need for a mattifying flawless finish. The soft powder glides smoothly on the skin, offering a buildable and full coverage. It controls shine and greasiness effectively and lasts for up to 12 hours. The non-drying formula minimizes the appearance of pores and is suitable for all skin types. 

Foundations are at the core of the makeup and a mattifying formula is essential to achieve flawless cloudy skin looks. Out of so many options, picking the right one might sound perplexing. But we have got you covered with our mini guide on all things matte foundations. 

Type of foundation: From liquids to powders, creams, and mousses, foundations vary in texture, consistency, application, and finish. For long-wearing, medium to full coverage, and some hydration, liquid foundations are vital. With air whipped in liquids, we get ultra-creamy mousse foundations that are great for oily skin types, as they are designed to be non-comedogenic . If a moisturizing and mattifying formula is your pick, then go for cream-based foundations. These foundations will swiftly glide and melt into the skin, leaving your skin super hydrated. Last on the list is the powder foundation. These pressed powders in a compact formula are ideal for that ‘barely-there’ skin-like finish. They instantly absorb oil, shine, and minimize pores. 

Skin type: Mattes are perfect for normal, combination, and oily skin types as these whip-ups efficiently control oil, and shine, and minimize the appearance of pores. If you are someone with a dry skin type going on mattes, ensure that the foundation is suitable for all skin types and has hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and shea butter. The key is to prep your skin well, so the foundation doesn’t turn cakey.

Formula: For any kind of foundation, the most important part is the shade-matching. The newest launches have a vast catalog of shades to choose from. Other things to consider are that your product must feel and look lightweight on the skin, giving a natural finish. Those with sensitive skin types must ensure that the label reads hypoallergenic, non-acnegenic, and tested by dermatologists. 

For a seamless finish and natural coverage, here’s how you can use your matte foundation to create a spotless makeup base. 

Step 1: Cleanse your face and prep the skin well with moisturizing agents.

Step 2:  Using your fingertips, a sponge, or a brush, apply the foundation on the skin and blend-blend-blend.

Step 3: Use concealers or correctors as per your preference and skin’s need. You can skip this step for a natural and lightweight finish. 

Step 4: Based on the look you desire, build the foundation and set it with a powder if needed.

Step 5: Finish off with spritzes of setting spray

Even though the matte foundations never left the chat, they are popping up again. There are some great options with a variety of textures and formulas out in the beauty bazaar. Your skin deserves only the top-tier recipe and our list of best matte foundations has arrived just in time to help you in shopping. These oil-controlling, oil-free foundations minimize the pores and add a soft-blurry filter IRL. Based on your skin type and shade, choose the right formula by perusing our mini-buying guide.